What you've told us
Thank you to the 68 customers from Priestwood who spoke to us regarding the review of the Community Investment Plan for the area. When the CIP was initially published, the main community priorities for customers in Priestwood were:
- Lack of knowledge around services on offer in the area
- Fly-tipping
- Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) - specifically drug dealing
- Cost of living - specifically food and fuel poverty
The CIP review, a year on, demonstrated that all respondents felt that the priorities mostly or completely reflected the needs of Priestwood still. The majority of respondents felt that Priestwood was a good place to live, and rated the community spirit and access to amenities as the main positives for the area.
As the feedback demonstrated, we are focusing on the right priorities, we will now review the interventions in the Priestwood area to see if we are the right stakeholder to deliver on these, or if we need to support partners in the community to focus on issues such as ASB and fly tipping.
Your priorities
- Supporting customers with employment advice, including signposting and information about qualifications available.
- Focused interventions to help support our customers and communities with the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
- Coordinating with Bracknell Forest Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy to better promote the health of our residents in Priestwood.
- Develop relationships with local police to understand the demographics behind issues around drug dealing and county lines, and use this knowledge to partner with local agencies on addressing this issue, for example youth provision.
- Work with partners to promote local services available to the community e.g. via social media, word of mouth, advertisement etc.
- Work with communities and partners to improve the litter/fly-tipping issues in your neighbourhood.
Who is your Community Development Officer?
I am Niamh Salisbury and I am your community development officer for Priestwood in Bracknell.
Whilst I am fairly new to the role this year, I have some experience in international community development and have always loved working in roles that allow me to talk to and engage with a diverse range of people. It is important to me to listen to the communities’ voices so we can reach collaborative and impactful solutions that address issues that are relevant to you. I am excited to continue the community development that has already been done in the area and to get to know you and Priestwood even better.
What are we working on in Priestwood?
Being new to the role of Priestwood’s community development officer, I have been working hard to get to know the priorities of the area, meet local partners and customers and build on the ongoing Abri projects in the area. Check back soon for some more updates on the community work in Priestwood… there's lots more to come!
What's been happening in your area?
Garth Hill College Careers Fair
On Wednesday 9 July, we attended the careers fair to provide information to around 1500 students from years 7 to 13 on career options in the social housing industry and introduce them to Abri as an organisation.
During the day we promoted concepts of community investment and engaged with 150 students in completing a survey which gave young people the chance to voice their understanding and concerns regarding community development in their local area.
ASB Awareness week Community Action Day
We held a Community Action Day as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Awareness week on 02 July.
We delivered this event in collaboration with Community Safety Officers, a Housing Partner, and local PCSOs. As well as offering opportunity to engage in conversations surrounding ASB issues, we provided information packs and free refreshments. We received feedback from 16 residents in total and collected 3 caged vans full of bulky waste free of charge.
Conversations centred on updates for potential planned works as well as some positive feedback following some recent actions from our community safety team, helping to reduce the perception of ASB in some respects.
Mobile Community Pantry
Running of the Mobile Community Pantry has been paused while SHARE take over this commitment, we hope to confirm the timeline for restarting the pantry very soon.
Love Parks Campaign
This event promoted the importance of accessible green spaces and parks on wellbeing and community, on Friday 1 August.
Jealott’s Hill Community Landshare Workshop & Consultation
When: Saturday 2 August
Where: Penfurzen Ln, Warfield, Bracknell RG42 6BQ
What was it: A workshop to learn new gardening skills, providing the knowledge to apply this to your own home, indoors or outdoors. Following the workshop a lunch was provided and gave opportunity to engage with us to shape future events and have your say in what you would want from future workshops.
What's coming up?
Summer of Fun
When: Wednesday 20 August 11am–3pm
Where: Braybrooke recreational ground, Makepiece Rd, Bracknell, RG42 2HG
What is it: Bracknell Forest is hosting a "Summer of Fun" program with free, family-friendly events throughout the summer holidays. Abri will be in attendance with our own stall and activities amongst many other organisations providing arts and crafts, petting farms, inflatables and more. No need to book, just drop in.
Community Creative Event
When: Saturday September 13, 1pm–4pm.
Where: Green space outside Campion House.
What is it: A community event to celebrate the reveal of an art mural on the wall by local artist Janine Tonkin. Children will have the opportunity to add to the mural and there will be other arts activities on offer as well as free refreshments.